Review of Meet John Doe (1941) by Glen O — 21 Feb 2016
Frank Capra works his magic again with this everyman 'comedy' that is actually a deadly serious social conscience film about the power of the 'the people' to thwart the machinations of manipulative politicians.
Barbara Stanwyck and Gary Cooper both deliver bravura performances (does anyone else think Cooper looks a lot like Jon Hamm?). Sure it's a little corny but it has a lot of heart and its message of 'love thy neighbour' reaches an appropriate climax in the final scene in a Christmas Eve reprieve for John Doe with an appeal to Jesus as the original everyman manipulated by the powers that be but ultimately triumphant over them through his message of love.
This was when Hollywood had a soul.
This review of Meet John Doe (1941) was written by Glen O on 21 Feb 2016.
Meet John Doe has generally received very positive reviews.
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